The Defense Summary
Vladimir Nabokov

The Defense Summary

Ten-year-old Aleksandr Ivaonich Luzhin, having proven too difficult for his governess, begins school. He is miserable and anti-social. The boy's father, convinced that Aleksandr will be the sort of gifted child that he writes about in his novels, is discouraged to hear academic reports indicating that his son is listless and apathetic. As the son of a famous author, Aleksandr is tormented by his peers. His misery persists until a chance encounter with a violinist introduces him to the game of chess.

Aleksandr begins ditching school to take chess lessons. His parents discover his truancy and put a stop to it, but in the meantime, the boy has become quite adept at chess. The father, having learned that his son has secretly been playing chess, puts Aleksandr's skill to the test. He is impressed, enlisting the aid of several skilled chess players to challenge his son. They are all defeated.... View more of the The Defense Summary